Fiber-optic light console

ABSTRACT

An improved light console for fiber-optic light cables which carry devices, such as surgical devices to be illuminated by the light source. The improved light source includes a dual illumination system which permits simultaneous use of two cables with the same console, or switching from one cable to another in the event of failure of one light source during surgical operation. In addition, the improved light console employs light and heat shielding means surrounding each of the light sources. The shielding means functions as a heat sink which may be aircooled to protect the front portion of the console thereby preventing it from becoming too hot to touch, a serious defect in prior art consoles. The console also includes means for controlling the light intensity for each of the light sources independent of separate color temperature controls. One embodiment of the light intensity means includes self-indexed, diaphragm or stop-type assembly which can vary the light intensity from 0 - 100 percent of output in any preselected number of discreet stages, typically 0, 25, 50 and 100 percent of maximum. Each light is separately switched independently of the power. The light console is air-cooled by a fan-type motor, and contains standard circuitry and fusing.

United States Patent [1 1 Bazell et al.

[111 3,775,606 [451 Nov. 27, 1973 FIBER-OPTIC LIGHT CONSOLE [75Inventors: Seymour Bazell, Skokie', Ralph G. Ostensen, Morton Grove;Edward M. Goldberg, Glencoe, all of 111.

[73] Assignee: Medical Products Corporation,

Skokie, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 216,035

[52] US. Cl 240/47, 240/1 EL, 240/41.15, 240/46.01, 350/96 B [51] Int.Cl. F2lv 29/00 [58] Field of Search 240/47, 1 EL, 41 R, 240/4l.15,46.51, 46.13, 46.01; 350/96 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,735,929 2/1956 Erhardt et a1 240/46.l3 3,382,353 5/1968Wappler 240/1 EL 3,204,091 8/1965 Baracket 240/46.5l X 3,596,083 7/1971Lovering 240/1 EL Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses Attorney-Molinare,Allegretti, Newitt [57 ABSTRACT An improved light console forfiber-optic light cables which carry devices, such as surgical devicesto be illuminated by the light source. The improved light sourceincludes a dual illumination system which permits simultaneous use oftwo cables with the same console, or switching from one cable to anotherin the event of failure of one light source during surgical operation.In addition, the improved light console employs light and heat shieldingmeans surrounding each of the light sources. The shielding meansfunctions as a heat sink which may be air-cooled to protect the frontportion of the console thereby preventing it from becoming too hot totouch, a serious defect in prior art consoles. The console also includesmeans for controlling the light intensity for each ofthe light sourcesindependent of separate color temperature controls. One embodiment ofthe light intensity means includes self-indexed, diaphragm or stop-typeassembly which can vary the light intensity from 0 100 percent of outputin any preselected number of discreet stages, typically 0, 25, 50 and100 percent of maximum. Each light is separately switched independentlyof i the power. The light console is air-cooled by a fan-type motor, andcontains standard circuitry and fusing.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENI nnv 2 7 ma SHEEI 1 OF 2PAIENTEDnnvzmva saw 2 or 2 FIBER-OPTIC LIGHT CONSOLE ronments where highintensity, small beams of light-are used for diagnostic or surgicalpurposes. The improved console has a dual light source, heat and lightabsorbingshrouds, and a light intensity means for control of the lightsource.

The use of fiber-optics in medicine has grown significantly in the lastseveral years. In practice, a light source bears upon one end of afiber-optic light cable which in turn transmits the light to the otherend to illuminate surgical or diagnostic devices which are used eitherin close quarters or internally in medical procedures. These cables aretypically on the order of 6 feet long and have a one-sixteenth one-halfinch diameter. One end of the cable is adapted by a bayonet-type offitting to be inserted into a fiber-optic light console while theopposite end may have various types of adaptors suited to the specificsurgical or diagnostic instrument being used. These cables are typicallyflexible, thus permitting ease and flexibility of directing the light.This invention does not concern itself with improvements in thefiber-optic light cable, but rather the console into which such cablesare plugged, and which operate as a source for the light.

The light supply for these fiber-optic instruments has typically been asmall, powerful incandescent-type lamp which is located several feetfrom the instrument to be illuminated, with the light being piped fromthislight source to the instrument via the flexible fiberoptic cable asdescribed above. One of the most serious problems in the present devicesis that the heavy filament, tungsten-halogen bulbs presently used have acolor temperature on the order of 3,100 Kelvin when used with standard110 volt, non-transformed power input. The light normally impinges onthe backside of the female bayonet aperture fitting, which in turn ismounted in the wall of the console. The light impinging on the wallsurface and the bayonet fitting causes the entire cabinet, over a periodof time, to become too hot to touch. Thus, for example when one lightmay burn out, and it is necessary to open the console to replace thelight bulb, heavy gloves must be used and great care must be taken sothat the operator is not burned, or inadvertently drops either the cableor the new bulb causing damage. This changing operation necessarilytakes time which may prove a serious detriment in surgical operationswhere time is of the essence.

Also, present devices control the level of illumination by use of avoltage controller which reduces the input voltage to the lamp filament.However, this means of controlling the light is not the most desirablebecause when the voltage is reduced on an incandescent lamp, the colortemperature of the lamp is reduced and the light turns fromincandescent-white to a red-yellow color of the visible spectrum. Thusat the lower light levels, the instruments typically produce areddishorange light which makes visualizing in anatomical structures anddiseases extremely difficult. For example, a red lesion on pink tissuesappears grayish. It is thus difficult to discern the exact color of thelesion with respect to background tissue. Since color is extremelyimportant in diagnostic work; the value of the instrument is severlylimited. In addition, the contours of the lesions become more difficultto discern from the structure of the background.

In addition, some types of devices employ either a squirrel cage -orcentrifugal type of fan for internal cooling by blowing astream of airacross the light bulb and against'the interior walls of the console.However, such types of fans suffer from the disadvantage of not alsoself-cooling their own motor. Under the intense heat conditions themotors are more'subject to failure during operation, which failure wouldcause burnout of the light bulb, and/or rendering. the instrument so hotas to cause failure of electrical or mechanical components, in additionto it being to hot to handle.

THE INVENTION Objects It is an object of this invention to provideanimproved fiber-optic light console which overcomes the disadvantages ofprior art types of consoles.

It is another object of this invention to provide'a fiber-optic lightconsole which has aplurality of light sources which mayoperatesimultaneously 'without overheating of the console.

It is still another object of this invention toprovide' a fiber-opticlight console assembly in whichboth'color temperature and lightintensity may be controlled independently for each of the light-cablesources.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improvedfiber-optic light console having means to reduce the surface temperatureof the control panel'of the console so that it may be handled duringoperation without danger of burning the operator.

It is still another object of this invention to provide special shroudmeans for the light sources which shield the operating control panelsurfaces of the console from direct impingement of the light, thuscooling those surfaces.

It is another object of this invention to provide heat sink means forabsorbing the unused light in the console thuspermitting the console tooperate at a lower temperature.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved fiber-opticlight console which has greater flexibility in its utility, and is asafe instrument from the point of view of a fire hazard in ether oralcohol-vapor containing atmospheres often used in surgical situations.

Still further and other objects of this invention will be evident fromthe following detailed description.

SUMMARY AND FIGURES This invention is characterized by a special shroudor shielding means surrounding each light source and spaced away fromthe front panel of the instrument, which shroud not only shields thefront control panel and other operating surfaces of the console, butalso acts as a heat sink for absorbing and dissipating the heat valuesfrom the light source. The shroud is adapted to be cooled by ambientexterior air from a self-cooling forced air fan. In addition, incombination with the shroud, light intensity control means are providedwhich act to permit individual control of light amount anywhere from 0through percent of the maximum light available from the light source.The light intensity means in one embodiment includes a plate-type stopor diaphragm which is self-indexed and non-backlash. In one embodimentthe plate is provided with four positions, of which only three haveapertures, thus providing light intensity values off), 25, 50 and 100percent of the total light available. The light intensity stop means isalso adapted to be cooled by the flow of air circulating in the interiorof the instrument.

The following detailed description of the invention is made withreference to the drawings in which:

FIG. I. is a perspective view of the exterior of the console showing thefiber-optic cables plugged there into in operating position.

FIG. 2 shows the front control panel portion of the console partlyopened thereby illustrating the light shrouds and their manner ofenclosing the entire light reflector surface.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the front control panel taken along the line33 in FIG. 2 and illustrates the shroud and light intensity stop means.

FIG. 4 is a top section view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1 andillustrates the relationship of the elements of the light console, andparticularly the shroud and light intensity stop means of thisinvention.

FIG. 5 is a side section view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4 andfurther illustrates the arrangement of the assemblies on the interior ofthe console.

In the following detailed description, it should be understood that thespecific embodiments discussed are meant as illustrative and notlimiting of the scope of the invention.

Turning now to FIG. I, fiber-optic light console I has a front controlpanel portion 2, releasably secured by latch means 3 to housing 4.Handle 5 is conveniently provided for carrying of the console. Thehousing also provides for entry of power cord 6, and exhausting ofcooling air through side Iouvers 7.

The control panel portion 2 provides two female bayonet-type mountingapertures 8 and 9 for plug-in of fiber-optic light cables 10 and/or 11.Main power switch 12 provides for on-off control of the console, whileswitch 13 controls the left light source associated with cable I0, andswitch 14 controls the right light source associated with cable 11.

Knob 15 controls the color temperature rheostat which is continuouslyvariable from a maximum 110 volts, 3,IOO Kelvin down to O. Knobs 16 and17 oper ate the light intensity control means (shown in more detailbelow) for their associated fiber-optic cables 10 and 11, respectively.Other control knobs may be positioned on the control panel portion asdesired, or the control knobs shown may be positioned elsewhere on theinstrument as is convenient.

FIG. 2 shows the fiber-optic cables removed from the bayonet-type mounts8 and 9, and the control panel portion partly open to reveal the leftand right highintensity light sources, 18 and 19 respectively.Associated with the light sources and adapted to fit thereover arespecial shrouds 20 and 21 respectively. This figure illustrates how thecontrol panel portion of the console may be hinged at the bottom as at33, and opened by releasing latch 3 and tilting forward the controlpanel or access to the light sources 18 and 19 for their repair orreplacement. The shrouds fit completely over the reflector portion ofthe light source yet are adapted to provide for opening of the consoleas shown. In the alternative, the console control panel portion may behinged at the side or in another convenient place for opening. Stillfurther, the control panel portion 2 need not be hinged, but can beadapted to fit over interior flanges 22, 23 and 24 which are adapted tofrictionally engage the interior surface of the control panel portion.The interior flanges may be broken away at the corners. as at 25 toprovide ease in fit.

The control frontpanel portion of the device may advantageously have afront louver such as louver 26 adapted to deflect air circulating on theinterior of the cabinet backwardly away from the front control panelportion. In the alternative, this louver may be spaced on the top or thebottom of the device, or multiple louvers may be employed.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 may be viewed together. FIG. 3 is a plan view of theinterior face of the control panel portion taken along the line 3-3 inFIG. 2. Shrouds 20 and 21 are mounted in proper alignment with the highintensity light sources 18 and 19 by means of base bracket 27. The lightintensity control stop means 28 and 29, for the left and right lights,respectively, are mounted behind the shrouds 20 and 21. The apertures inthe light intensity stop means are positively indexed into properposition by means of position assembly 30 which has depending fingers 31and 32 which engage the notches such as 33 in each of the stop means topositively align the apertures in the stop means with the focal point ofthe light source.

Other details of the assembly may be seen in this view with switches 12through 14 being visible below the shroud base bracket. Hinge means 83is mounted on the bottom edge of the control panel portion andcorrespondingly attaches to the bottom of the housing 4 as best seen inFIG. 5. The color temperature rheostat 34 is operated by the knob 15shown in FIG. 1, and is electrically connected to the high intensitylight sources and the on-oft" switch in conventional electric circuitry,not shown.

FIG. 4 shows in more detail the relationship of the housing and thelight intensity stop means to the high intensity light sources. Thelight sources 18 and 19 are mounted on a base bracket 35 for properalignment with the aperture 36 in the bayonet mount 9 which receives thefiber-optic light cable end. The high intensity light source includes afixed base portion 37, a removable light bulb holder and reflector 38,bulb 39, and a pivotally mounted spring-type clip 40. The clip 40 may beswung to one side and the bulb holder 38 with its reflector and bulb 39may be removed by pulling upwardly (in FIG. 5). A new bulb holder,reflector and bulb assembly may then be plugged into the light base 37and the retaining clip repositioned to insure good contact. Thetungsten-halogen bulb is positioned within a dichroic reflector which isof the type which permits transmittal of about percent of the infraredlight through the glass of the reflector. Nevertheless, the light spotis extremely hot, and the focal point of the reflector impinges on theend of the fiber-optic light cable bundle which projects relativelyflush with the interior opening of the aperture 36 in the bayonet 9.This is shown in FIG. 5 by the dot labeled F. It should be understoodthat the focal point P is actually a spot on the order of l to 2centimeters in size so that it illuminates the entire end of thefiber-optic light cable bundle. This is shown by the light path linesfrom the edge of the reflector directed to the interior end of thebayonet mount 9 as best seen in FIG. 5, and labeled L, L.

The light intensity stop means 28 and 29 in the embodiment shown in thefigures is a quarter circle piece of heavy gauge aluminum having aplurality of apertures therethrough, each aperture having a differentsize as seen by apertures 41, 42 and 43. These apertures are of apredetermined size to cut off a specific predetermined portion of thelight impinging on the end of the fiber-optic light cable bundle. Asseen in FIG. 5 for example, aperture 42 intercepts a portion of thelight cone impinging on the end of the bundle generally at the point Fand permits passage through the aperture of only approximately 50percent of the total available light. Thus the light intensity isselected in a predetermined fashion. Aperture 43 may be sized to permit100 percent of the end' of the fiber-optic light cable bundle to beexposed to the light source, and conversely opening 41 may permit only25 percent.

Radially outwardly from the apertures 41 through 43 are a series of stopnotches or indexing means 33 which permit accurate positioning of theapertures in the cone of light and in axial alignment with the end ofthe fiberoptic light cable bundle. In addition, one further notch 44(see FIG. 3) is provided on the edge of the light intensity stop means.As shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 3'through 5, there is no apertureassociated with stop notch 44 and thus 100 percent of the light can becut off if desired. In the alternative, this blank place in the stopmeans may be custom drilled to provide whatever percentage of light maybe desired by the user.

In operation, the light intensity stop means is positioned by meanswhich includes knob 17 which is journaled upon sleeve 45 as seen in FIG.4. Shaft 46 is secured to the light intensity stop means 29 and to theknob 17 and is free to rotate in the sleeve 45 upon turning knob 17.Thus by turning the knob, the light intensity stop means may be adjustedand indexed with the end of the fiber-optic light cable bundle toprovide the desired illumination.

To prevent override of the light intensity stop means, a pair ofdepending ears 47 and 48 are provided on each of thelight intensity stopmeans. The action of the ears can be seen in FIGS. 3 through 5, ear 47in FIG. 4 being shown in profile and ear 48 being shown in profile inFIG. 5. As best seen in FIG. 5, ear 48 engages the projecting interiorend of the bayonet mount 9 and thus prevents override of the lightintensity stop means, that is, rotation of the stop means past theposition of aperture 43. Similarly, when the stop means 29 (see FIG. 3)is rotated clockwise, car 47 will engage the upper side of the inner endof the mount 9 and prevent override of the stop means.

It should be understood that while the stop means are shown asquarter-circular pieces, they may be made semi-circular or a fullcircle, and any number of apertures may be provided therethrough toprovide any predetermined desired selection of light intensity valuesimpinging on the end of the fiber-optic light cable bundle.

Spaced rearwardly from the light intensity stop means and alignedaxially with the high intensity light source are the light shrouds and21. These shrouds are generally cup-shaped with an aperture 49 in whatwould be the bottom of the cup. The central axis of the aperture 49 isaligned with the axis of the light bulb holder with its reflector 38.The light passes through the aperture and impinges on the end of thefiber-optic light cable bundle except to the extent light is cut off bythe light intensity stop means. FIG. 5 shows the cone of light which ispermitted to pass toward the light bundle outlined by the letters L andL. Extraneous light impinges against the interior of the light shroud.Typically, the light shroud is of relatively thin, highly conductive,anodized or otherwise blackened metal. This permits the light to beabsorbed by the metal and heat generated by the light dissipated by theair flowing in heat exchange relationship around both the interior andexterior of the light cup from the fan 50 which is mounted at the rearof the housing 4.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, one wall of the cup isnotched as at 51 to permit clearance by the light base 37 when thecontrol panel portion 2 of the console 1 is closed from the positionshown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 1. Where a different type of lightbase 37 may be employed which does not project so far forward that itlies on a plane which intersects the reflector portion of the bulbholder 38, the notch may not be required. However, it should be notedthat the rearward extent of the shroud cup wall is suffrciently far backto extend rearwardly of the reflector base. This assists in heatdissipation of extrarleous light since the reflector is actuallytransparent to infrared light, being a dichroic coated glass reflector.Thus reflected light can pass rearwardly through the reflector to asmall extent, and is captured by thedarkened walls of the shroud cupassembly. The cup assembly is opened to the rear to permit air from fan50 to be drawn in from the ambient atmosphere through the grillwork 52at the rear of the housing 4, from whence it is propelled forwardly intoand around the cup. The air picks up heat from the cup, and the shroudcup base bracket 27. The air also passes around the exterior of the cupsand impinges upon the from inside face of the control panel 2 and on thelight intensity stop plates 28 and 29. This serves to cool the operatingelements of the fiber-optic light console, and the heated air passes outthe louver 7 in the side walls of the housing and through the side andbottom louvers 26 of the control panel portion of the console.

As noted above, the internal wiring is relatively conventional, and hasnot been shown in detail for ease of understanding the operation of theimproved console. The power is supplied through cord 6 via resettablecircuit breaker 53, and is then internally distributed by appropriatewiring to the light sources, the on-off switches, the fan and the colortemperature rheostat 34.

In contrast to prior art light consoles, even after two hours ofcontinuous operation the control panel of the light console of thisinvention is only slightly warm to the touch. In addition, should lightof lower intensity be required during the operation, the light intensitycan be cut down very simply by rotation of the light intensity controlknob. In addition, should the color temperature be required to bechanged, the color temperature control knob 15 can also be manipulatedto achieve the desired color temperature. In addition, the dual mountedhigh intensity light sources permits operation of both light sourcessimultaneously at different light intensities without loss of color.More or fewer light sources may be used.

It should be understood that variations and adaptations can be made inthe foregoing description of the embodiments of this invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof. For example, the cable end fitting,within the meaning of the term bayonet-type, includes both the standardbayonet having a pair of small, side projections which key into grovesin the mounting assembly, or the spring detent type of bayonet in whichsprings in the mounting engage groves in the cable end fitting.Likewise, the light intensity amount means could be made larger, or ofdarkened metal to provide additional or optional shielding. The lightintensity apertures may be selected to provide any desired values, forexample 10, 33, 66 and 100 percent, and are not limited to the selectionof O, 25, 50 and 100 percent. In place of the rheostat, a standardtransistorized, continuously variable chopper," such as the type used inhome lighting dimmer switches may be used. Particularly useful for theconsoles of this invention are choppers capable of handling up to 600watts power.

We claim:

1. An improved fiber-optic light console comprising in operativecombination:

a. a housing, having a control panel portion,

b. means for mounting one end of a fiber-optic light cable in saidcontrol panel portion,

0. a high intensity light source having a reflector assembly disposedwithin said housing so that light from said light source impinges onsaid end of said fiber-optic light cable,

d. means for shielding said control panel portion from directimpingement thereon of light from said high intensity light source,

e. said shielding means being adapted to pass light therethrough toimpinge on said fiber-optic light cable end, and having a shrouddisposed between said reflector assembly and the end of said fiberopticlight cable and extending axially rearwardly of said reflector assembly,and

. means for directing ambient air from the exterior of said housing intoheat exchange association with said shielding means,

whereby said shielding means absorbs radiant heat from said light sourceand said console has improved operational life, safety and lowertemperature.

2. A console as in claim 1 which includes:

g. means disposed in said housing for controlling the amount of iightimpinging on the end of said fiberoptic light cable without affectingthe color temperature of said iight.

3. A console as in claim 1 which includes a plurality of light sources.

4. A consoie as in claim 2 wherein said light amount control meansincludes a plate having an aperture therein, said plate is spacedrearwardly from the end of said end of said fiber-optic light cable, andmeans for positioning said aperture in axial alignment with said cableend.

5. A console as in claim 4 wherein said positioning means includes meansfor indexing said aperture in a predetermined position, andspring-biased fingers co operating with said indexing means to providefor positive positioning of said apertures.

6. A console as in claim 5 wherein said plate includes means formaintaining a portion of said plate in the path of said light impingingon said cable end, thereby to prevent override of said plate.

7. A console as in claim 6 wherein said maintaining means includes aportion of said plate adapted to engage a portion of said fiber-opticlight cable mounting means.

8. An improved fiber-optic light console comprising in operativecombination:

a. a housing, having a control panel portion,

b. means for mounting one end of a fiber-optic light cable in saidcontrol panel portion,

c. a high intensity light source disposed within said housing so thatlight from said light source impinges on said end of said fiber-opticlight cable,

d. means disposed in said housing for controlling the amount of lightimpinging on the end of said fiberoptic light cable without affectingthe color temperature of said light,

said light amount control means includes a plate having an aperturetherein, said plate is spaced rearwardly from the end of saidfiber-optic light cable, and means for positioning said aperture inaxial alignment with said cable end,

said positioning means includes means for indexing said aperture in apredetermined position, and spring-biased fingers cooperating with saidindexing means to provide for positive positioning of said apertures,and

e. means for directing ambient exterior air into association with theinterior surfaces of said housing and said light amount control meansthereby to cool said console.

9. A console as in claim 8 wherein said plate includes means formaintaining a portion of said plate in the path of said light impingingon said cable end, thereby to prevent override of said plate.

10. A console as in claim 9 wherein said maintaining means includes aportion of said plate adapted to engage a portion of said fiber-opticlight cable mounting

1. An improved fiber-optic light console comprising in operativecombination: a. a housing, having a control panel portion, b. means formounting one end of a fiber-optic light cable in said control panelportion, c. a high intensity light source having a reflector assemblydisposed within said housing so that light from said light sourceimpinges on said eNd of said fiber-optic light cable, d. means forshielding said control panel portion from direct impingement thereon oflight from said high intensity light source, e. said shielding meansbeing adapted to pass light therethrough to impinge on said fiber-opticlight cable end, and having a shroud disposed between said reflectorassembly and the end of said fiber-optic light cable and extendingaxially rearwardly of said reflector assembly, and f. means fordirecting ambient air from the exterior of said housing into heatexchange association with said shielding means, whereby said shieldingmeans absorbs radiant heat from said light source and said console hasimproved operational life, safety and lower temperature.
 2. A console asin claim 1 which includes: g. means disposed in said housing forcontrolling the amount of light impinging on the end of said fiber-opticlight cable without affecting the color temperature of said light.
 3. Aconsole as in claim 1 which includes a plurality of light sources.
 4. Aconsole as in claim 2 wherein said light amount control means includes aplate having an aperture therein, said plate is spaced rearwardly fromthe end of said end of said fiber-optic light cable, and means forpositioning said aperture in axial alignment with said cable end.
 5. Aconsole as in claim 4 wherein said positioning means includes means forindexing said aperture in a predetermined position, and spring-biasedfingers cooperating with said indexing means to provide for positivepositioning of said apertures.
 6. A console as in claim 5 wherein saidplate includes means for maintaining a portion of said plate in the pathof said light impinging on said cable end, thereby to prevent overrideof said plate.
 7. A console as in claim 6 wherein said maintaining meansincludes a portion of said plate adapted to engage a portion of saidfiber-optic light cable mounting means.
 8. An improved fiber-optic lightconsole comprising in operative combination: a. a housing, having acontrol panel portion, b. means for mounting one end of a fiber-opticlight cable in said control panel portion, c. a high intensity lightsource disposed within said housing so that light from said light sourceimpinges on said end of said fiber-optic light cable, d. means disposedin said housing for controlling the amount of light impinging on the endof said fiber-optic light cable without affecting the color temperatureof said light, said light amount control means includes a plate havingan aperture therein, said plate is spaced rearwardly from the end ofsaid fiber-optic light cable, and means for positioning said aperture inaxial alignment with said cable end, said positioning means includesmeans for indexing said aperture in a predetermined position, andspring-biased fingers cooperating with said indexing means to providefor positive positioning of said apertures, and e. means for directingambient exterior air into association with the interior surfaces of saidhousing and said light amount control means thereby to cool saidconsole.
 9. A console as in claim 8 wherein said plate includes meansfor maintaining a portion of said plate in the path of said lightimpinging on said cable end, thereby to prevent override of said plate.10. A console as in claim 9 wherein said maintaining means includes aportion of said plate adapted to engage a portion of said fiber-opticlight cable mounting means.